Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is related to his military service, as there was a high probability of exposure to fumes and oils during flight duty. The evidence in equipoise, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting a supplemental opinion from the examiner who conducted the October 2012 examination.

The Veteran's application for an annual clothing allowance was denied as he did not file timely applications for the years 2003, 2004, and 2005.

The Veteran's disability compensation benefits were apportioned in the amount of $150 per month to his minor child, A.M.F., due to her financial hardship.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the appellant requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's right great toe disability was rated at 10 percent from August 1, 2004 to July 18, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the appellant's request for Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for VA Home Loan Benefits because his service did not meet the criteria for basic eligibility under Chapter 37 of Title 38 of the United States Code.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 60 percent for aortic valvular stenosis from September 11, 2012. The effective date remains April 30, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if a higher rating for celiac sprue and service connection for arthralgia are warranted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for marked limitation of motion. The claim for a TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that Bell's Palsy did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Bell's Palsy was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed loss of equilibrium/balance is not related to his service or any service-connected disability, and therefore denies the claim.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal of the July 2011 decision assigning a 20 percent evaluation for his service-connected right retropatellar pain syndrome, status-post right knee surgery prior to February 2009. The claim is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for brain damage, including as due to asbestos exposure, is denied. The Board finds that there is no competent medical evidence showing a current disability and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any diagnosed condition is related to military service or in-service exposures.

The Board found that the cause of death, rectal cancer, is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and there was no herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his service-connected residuals of a left forearm fracture was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling from May 3, 2004 to prior to September 10, 2009 and in excess of 40 percent disabling beginning September 10, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary compensation for residuals of a splenectomy have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right bundle branch block is not a recognized disability for VA purposes and therefore does not warrant service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's poliomyelitis with residual weakness of the leg and joints pre-existed his military service and was not permanently aggravated by active service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current level of impairment due to residuals of a pulmonary embolism.